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Texas school legally punished Black student over hairstyle, judge says

A Black high school student’s monthslong punishment by his Texas school district for refusing to change his hairstyle does not violate a new state law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination, a judge ruled on Thursday.

By Michael Wyk and Juan Lozano / AP, Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle and Education Hair-Discrimination/Houston Chronicle via AP

Feb. 22, 2024

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shan'Terrius Sly-Brown, 16, left, and Shaniya Wade-Red, 15, hold signs during a protest outside of the home of Barbers Hill Independent School District superintendent Greg Poole, Wednesday, Feb. 21, in Baytown, Texas. The teenagers traveled from Holmes County in Mississippi to participate in the protest and attend a Thursday bench trial for Darryl George, a student who was punished over his hairstyle. George, who is Black and has been kept out of his regular classes since Aug. 31, 2023, says his hairstyle is protected by a new state law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination.
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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Supporters of Darryl George hold signs during a protest outside of the home of Barbers Hill Independent School District superintendent Greg Poole, Wednesday, Feb. 21, in Baytown, Texas. The group gathered in support ahead of a Thursday bench trial for Darryl George, a student who was punished over his hairstyle. George, who is Black and has been kept out of his regular classes since Aug. 31, 2023, says his hairstyle is protected by a new state law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination.
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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Darryl George, a 17-year-old junior, before walking across the street to go into Barbers Hill High School after serving a 5-day in-school suspension for not cutting his hair, Sept. 18, 2023, in Mont Belvieu, Texas. A trial is set to be held Thursday, Feb. 21, 2024, to determine if George can continue being punished by his district for refusing to change his hairstyle, which he and his family say is protected by a new state law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination.
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HOUSTON CHRONICLE VIA AP

Darryl George, center, hugs his mother Darresha, as they wait with state representative Jolanda Jones, left, and state representative Ron Reynolds, right, before a hearing regarding George's punishment for violating school dress code policy because of his hair style, Thursday Feb. 22, at the Chambers County Courthouse in Anahuac, Texas. A judge has ruled that George's monthslong punishment by his Texas school district for refusing to change his hairstyle does not violate a new state law prohibiting race-based hair discrimination.
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HOUSTON CHRONICLE VIA AP

Darryl George, center, waits with his mother Darresha before a hearing regarding George's punishment for violating school dress code policy because of his hair style, Thursday Feb. 22, at the Chambers County Courthouse in Anahuac, Texas. A judge has ruled that George's monthslong punishment by his Texas school district for refusing to change his hairstyle does not violate a new state law prohibiting race-based hair discrimination.
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HOUSTON CHRONICLE VIA AP

Darryl George, center, makes a comment during a press conference before a hearing regarding George's punishment for violating school dress code policy because of his hair style, Thursday Feb. 22, at the Chambers County Courthouse in Anahuac, Texas. A judge has ruled that George's monthslong punishment by his Texas school district for refusing to change his hairstyle does not violate a new state law prohibiting race-based hair discrimination.
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HOUSTON CHRONICLE VIA AP

State representative Jolanda Jones, left, Darryl George, left center, and state representative Ron Reynolds, right, listen as Darresha George comments during a press conference before a hearing regarding George's punishment for violating school dress code policy because of his hair style, Thursday Feb. 22, at the Chambers County Courthouse in Anahuac, Texas. A judge has ruled that George's monthslong punishment by his Texas school district for refusing to change his hairstyle does not violate a new state law prohibiting race-based hair discrimination.
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HOUSTON CHRONICLE VIA AP

Dr. Candice Matthews, left, listens as state representative Ron Reynolds, right, with Darryl George, center, makes comments before a hearing regarding George's punishment for violating school dress code policy because of his hair style, Thursday Feb. 22, at the Chambers County Courthouse in Anahuac, Texas. A judge has ruled that George's monthslong punishment by his Texas school district for refusing to change his hairstyle does not violate a new state law prohibiting race-based hair discrimination.
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HOUSTON CHRONICLE VIA AP

Darryl George, center, enters the courthouse before a hearing regarding George's punishment for violating school dress code policy because of his hair style, Thursday Feb. 22, at the Chambers County Courthouse in Anahuac, Texas. A judge has ruled that George's monthslong punishment by his Texas school district for refusing to change his hairstyle does not violate a new state law prohibiting race-based hair discrimination.
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HOUSTON CHRONICLE VIA AP

Darryl George, and his mother Darresha leave the courthouse after an unfavorable verdict regarding George's punishment for violating school dress code policy because of his hair style, Thursday Feb. 22, at the Chambers County Courthouse in Anahuac, Texas. A judge has ruled that George's monthslong punishment by his Texas school district for refusing to change his hairstyle does not violate a new state law prohibiting race-based hair discrimination.

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